ONCE MORE INTO THE BREACH...

Friendly Yeltz 1 Alfreton 1

19 July 2003

Here we go again. I think I say this every year, but this is a crucial season for the mighty Yeltz . After last year's relegation I think it may have worked for the best, now we know if we win the league we can get into one of the new Conference Division Ones. It's not going to be as easy as two years ago, but we've definitely got lots to play for.

There's been a large turnover of players - probably rightly so after last season - and the squad should become a little clearer as we embark on a set of friendlies. Yesterday brought the first of those, resulting in a 1-1 draw against Alfreton our goal coming from new bloke Leon Mitchell . More details in .

We've got two more games this week: Birmingham City come to The Grove on Monday, and then we visit Oldbury on Thursday evening.

Halesowen opened their pre-season with a pleasing draw against newly promoted Unibond Premier big spenders Alfreton Town in a re-match of January's FA Trophy clash.

The hosts had the slightly better first half with ex-Tamworth striker Mark Hallam heading just wide from fellow new-boy Lewis Baker in the 4th
minute. Jason Ashby then linked-up with Hallam in the 21st minute before
hitting his effort wide. Other new summer signings Darren Grocutt, Simon
Hollis and Jamie March also caught the eye in the first period with a 38th
minute cross from March headed across goal by Hollis.

Halesowen ran the rule over a number of possibles by naming a completely
different line-up for the second half and they took a 54th minute lead when
manager's son Kelvin Phillips split the Alfreton defence allowing ex-Sutton
Coldfield striker Leon Mitchell to convert from 12 yards. Young home
goalkeeper Matt Harris saved acrobatically from the unmarked Ian Robinson
just after the hour before the visitors equalised through the experienced
Tony Hemmings from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute after a handball just
inside the Halesowen area.